Featured Artist: Mel – faerienotions

What is your background? I’m a stay at home mom from Mississippi, didn’t finish college, “life” got in the way. I’ve had mainly office jobs in the past before kids, and when we decided it was time for kids, I knew I needed to be home for them. I enjoy spending quality time with my family and I have plenty of time to work on my beading.

What hobbies or interests do you have?I enjoy reading fantasy books, and I’m also an avid poetry writer. I also enjoy hiking and crystal digging.Is there a specific design style that you really like? I like a wide variety of designs really. I tend to go with what speaks to me at the time. I am working on new designs now that are more simple in style, not so complex. I think the going trend is leaning more toward a simple design of late.

What drives you?I find what drives me is the simple joy I feel in beading. There’s a satisfaction in working with natural gemstones that I just can’t get other ways. I love the energy and peace I feel when I work with my hands. It’s a great distraction from every day life.

What are you passionate about?I am passionate about a number of things actually. One is Autism Awareness, and you will occasionally see Awareness items in my shop. I have 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. My 2 boys are on the autism spectrum. I’m also passionate about my religious beliefs. As a pagan, I believe that gemstones have metaphysical energy and I like to impart that information on to my customers.

Why did you choose your career / niche / topic / market?I started beading for the sheer joy of it. I started to receive so many compliments around my jewelry that I decided to take the big step forward into owning my own Etsy shop.

What are your goals?My eventual goal is to grow bigger than Etsy and into my own store. I would love to see other department stores carry my items as a small name brand.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?In 5 years I would like to see myself in small retail shops or with a small retail storefront.

Tell us a bit about your shop!

How do you describe what you do and why are you doing what you do? I create handcrafted artisan jewelry using natural semi-precious gemstones.

What difference do you want to make in this field?I want to show that there can be a purpose for jewelry, a function, not just a pretty look.

Describe your ideal customer & the world they inhabit.I would like to think that I reach a wider variety of customers, that my “ideal” customer could range from a 20-30 something pagan, to a 40 something business woman. Regardless of a person’s belief in the energy that lies behind gemstones, the styles that I try to portray in my jewelry is aimed at all walks of life, from the young at heart to the older and more mature.What do you want to be known for in your business?I would like to be best known for creating jewelry that is not only pleasing to look at but that contains positive energy.

What 5 words best describes your aesthetic5 words that would describe the aesthetic of my jewelry are Sparkly Cute Beautiful Glittery Fashionable

What is about your shop that is unique? What makes your shop different?I think what makes my shop unique is the fact that I try to blend the pagan aspects of jewelry along side the trendy side. I have a great sense of texture and color that I try to impart into each piece that I make. I want every item to be fashionable and unique, and I want every item description to carry the information about the metaphysical beliefs of each stone.What’s your story & why should I buy from you?I started beading 6 years ago, quite by accident. A good friend of mine gave me a necklace, and it broke. Instead of telling her about it, I decided to try and fix it on my own. When I discovered I had a knack for it, I ordered some supplies and gave it a whirl. I soon discovered that it was a sheer joy to bead. I have bipolar and Aspergers. Having this outlet for me, a joy in my life, is a sanity saver. It gives me an escape from the every day life I deal with. I get such a high from working with natural gemstones. The feel of them in my hands, the energy the impart to me, it brings me a peace I haven’t found anywhere else. With out it, I’m not sure where I’d be right now. What event or need causes them to search for what you offer? Which problem do you solve?I would think my jewelry is sought out for a couple of reasons, whether it be the simple need for something pretty, or the more complex need for a piece of jewelry whose gemstones’ metaphysical properties will help with what problems my clientele may face at that moment in time. My jewelry would serve both needs well.

What is your message?Natural gemstones hold a simple beauty and quality that can’t be beat. You can own jewelry to look your best and feel great about it as well. Gemstones can work for you to make you feel amazing, as well as look it.

March 20, 2011

RELATED POSTS

July 22, 2011

July 15, 2011

July 8, 2011

I was inspired by the people who came up with nice ideas and their determination to pursue those ideas and make them a reality, the creativity that’s reflected in all those little pieces of art. People who believed in themselves and never give in until they’ve seen things through. It is my admiration for that kind of artistic determination that led me to seize this opportunity and try out something new. With constant effort on my part, I hope to join the ranks of those people as well – one day, slowly, but surely.